Monday, May 30, 2016

Helping Your Family with Reflexology

Helping Your Family with Reflexology
The Reflexology Mom and the Extended Family Tackle Health and Fitness

by Barbara and Kevin Kunz
Drawn to reflexology are mothers concerned about helping a child’s health problem, interested in seeking family wellness outside of the medical model, or living in a rural area with poor accessi- bility to medical care. The reflexology mom, we’ll call her. Her primary motivation is helping a loved one or loved ones. This admirable character extends the care of her family and their needs, taking into her own hands through reflexology their health and well-being.

This time she’s been joined by the many others who make up today’s caring, extended “family” unit: grandparents, life partners, friends, aunts, and the many other loved ones who are part of our lives. As you read through the following, keep in mind that we’re really talking about any one of these individuals who people our lives.

One recent example is a Mom we heard from and got to know over the Internet. She wrote that she had received help for symptoms of her Meniere’s disease by following information in our book Reflexology, Health at your fingertips (Dorling Kindersley). She went on to talk about how, once she felt better, she used reflexology to help her family with their health concerns. Her matter-of- fact letter about getting better so she could help loved ones was a truly touching testament to mom power. When we wrote another book and volunteered to send her one, she declined. While she appreciated the offer, she had totally personalized and customized Her original book to meet the needs of her family. She had marked pages with Post-Its and taken notes in the book’s margins to easily find the information she needed to work with the health concerns of each individual mem- ber of her family.
When we consider the reflexology moms we have known over the years, their stories are truly remarkable. Through their own efforts, they single-handedly made life better for themselves and their families. A low-cost health care system grows on its own as reflexology is applied by mom, the individual most in touch with the health status of her family, as she serves as the health care giver to their children, elderly parents, spouses, and friends. There’s no way to calculate concerns alleviated thanks to women’s use of reflexology. Then there’s also money saved over the years from costs of medication, side effects of medication or time spent sitting in a doctor’s waiting room.
One of our favorite Mom stories was our client Kathy’s. Alarmed at waking at three in the morn- ing unable to breath due to asthma and concerned that she had de-sensitized to a growing list of medications, she sought reflexology help. In addition to applying our reflexology work, we showed her a self-help technique and suggested five minutes of application. She came back to report not only that she could breath more easily after applying the technique but that it only took her three minutes. 

We met Kathy’s daughters as well. On one memorable occasion, Kathy called to cancel her daughter’s appointment. They were, after all, on their way to the emergency room due to her daughter’s extreme abdominal pain. Following standard procedure, no pain medication was administered during the five hours it took to diagnose the need for an appendectomy so Kathy uti- lized a reflexology technique to alleviate her daughter’s extreme pain. We met another daughter when she injured her ankle playing soccer. She was concerned that she would not play the final game of her high school career in a few days time unless the coach was satisfied the ankle had healed sufficiently. We showed her how to apply technique herself. She played in the game. We gradually lost Kathy as a client. She “graduated” and came to control her health concerns and those of her daughters.
And, yes, the mom stories are personal to us. More than thirty years ago, the mother of a college friend helped launch our own interest and careers in reflexology. For this mother, her daughter’s childhood injury, resulting in partial blindness and a “wandering” eye, became a cause to tackle. Through reflexology she succeeded in helping the injured eye track more normally. Then, there was the friend who was enrolled in a reflexology class with Kevin. She wanted to help her daugh- ter who had been injured in a car accident resulting in brain injury and partial paralysis. Told by doctors to institutionalize her daughter in a care facility, the mother instead applied reflexology. Not only did Janey recover sufficiently to live independently but she returned to her teaching career.
Today, research shows how reflexology can help families help each other. The use reflexology by families has been shown to help individuals with cancer. A study by Dr. Nancy Stephenson's study showed a “significant decrease in pain intensity and anxiety” with partner-delivered reflexology applied to patients with advanced cancer.” In a landmark study Barbara Zeller-Dobbs of Switzer- land noted: “Our purpose for using reflexology with these patients was to decrease their pain but we soon realized the beneficial effect of reflexology on the morale of patients and families. Some- thing was being done for them. Patients expressed feelings of being less abandoned and the fami-
lies expressed satisfaction at seeing that something painless existed that could aid their relative.”

Mom-powered and family-powered reflexology is more popular now than ever before. Many are attracted by reflexology’s easy usability and result-getting potential. In addition, it’s a natural therapy that provides a quiet moment of touch and communication with a loved one. Also, many many now believe in reflexology fitness, maintaining wellness in general by applying reflexology for such a goal. For others, disenchantment with medical care or even economic necessity make reflexology an attractive complement to health care for the family.

Resources
Using reflexology is a matter of applying pressure technique to the relevant reflex area of the foot or hand. There are resources detailing such information to match your level of interest. Listed here are resources to launch your use of reflexology providing information about: reflexology charts, how-to technique descriptions and how-to apply a pattern of techniques to address your health interest.

The complete book of reflexology use. Color-photo illustrated instructions guide you through foot reflexology and hand reflexology application: basic techniques, how to apply foot reflexology to yourself or another, how to apply hand reflexology to yourself or another, how to use self- help foot reflexology tools, how to use hand reflexology self-help tools. In addition, you’ll find full ses- sion patterns for each. Fully illustrated instructions guide you through work with every stage of life including babies, children, teenagers, senior citizens, men women and pregnant women. Mini- sessions focus your efforts for recovery from injury, easing pain, first aid and relieving stress. Included are directions for soothing tired feet, yours or another’s, as well as working to better foot concerns. Instructions to rejuvenate the hands and work with hand concerns are included as well. Also included are how to address: health concerns, systems of the body (e. g. the digestive sys- tem) and each body part listed on a reflexology chart (e.g stomach).
Keep The Parent’s Guide to Reflexology handy to use as a reference, pulling it out when you need some reflexology information for your child. Or, use it as a learning tool for studying reflexology information specific to your child: how-to do reflexology techniques, hints and tips for working with children, benefits of reflexology for children, alphabetical section for applying reflexology specific to common children’s disorders. (160 pages)

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

What a reviewer thought of reflexology in 1982

The Complete Guide to Foot Reflexology

There’s nothing like being a first-time author and  receiving a book review from a major newspaper. And then, you read it.

The newly published book The Complete Guide to Foot Reflexology by Kevin and Barbara Kunz is reviewed. The author concludes that "I had never heard of foot reflexology until I discovered this book. It's full of anatomical revelations of the bizarro kind, even more fun than acupuncture … “Foot fetishists everywhere will understand, and probably wish, they'd invented foot reflexology before the Kunzes cashed in.”

Oct. 11, 1982 San Francisco Examiner, "Getting to the foot of all of your problems" by Nickie McWhirter,

Monday, May 9, 2016

Million Dollar Thumb


The thumb walking technique to me has always been an incredibly effective technique. Done correctly it is worth more than money. But someone with a good thumb walking technique is worth their weight in gold.

That is not to knock other techniques. I have used them and have a lot of respect for them.

Having said that this is why I love thumb walking as a technique.

1) It allows you to vary your pressure precisely to accommodate all kinds of feet. You can remain just inside their "comfort zone" and not add unnecessary stress to them.

2) You can get a feel for the "terrain" under the skin. Touch stress cues can be difficult to find. I find all kinds of stress cues such as what the Germans refer to as "hard tonus" to stringiness.

3) People often comment that I seem to know where sensitive areas are before I hit them. therefore I can lighten up just prior to the stress cue so as to not send them through the roof. I can also get a sense of what part of the stress cue is the most sensitive.

4) There a soothing smoothness to well executed thumb walking. To me it is like sculpting the foot or hand. I feel the shape of areas.

5) You can feel change in areas as progress is being made. I have asked if a certain problem has improved and people are amazed that I know.

6) You can make a detailed assessment of the stress cues. The value of this is hard to measure. People will see you as more professional and knowledgeable.

7) Done right the thumb walking technique can be much easier on your hands.

8) With thumb walking it is easy to lay down a consistent pattern.

Kevin Kunz

Saturday, May 7, 2016

Save Your Feet During Your Workday

All the stress and rush of the workday can really cause your feet and your body to ache. There are some simple tricks that can sooth your soles and your weary body.
1. Never stand still. Standing for long periods of time is very stressful. So rock gently side to side. If you have to stand for long stretches sway gently side to side. Most fellow employees won't notice. One of my clients has her whole food kitchen rocking side to side.
2. Interrupt stress and do it frequently. Stress won't kill you. What will kill you is uninterrupted stress. So take a break or several breaks throughout the day.
3. Roll your feet during those breaks with a simple foot roller. Rollers are a cheap way to break up the pattern of stress that forms during the workday rush.
4. Wear good shoes. Think of shoes as tools for your feet. Good tools result in good results. High heels are asking for trouble. But you know that!!!
5. See a reflexologist. Hey give your feet a treat for their hard work. You are worth it, aren't you?
What are your tips for a happy and pain free workday?

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Foot working scenes and situation comedies


Foot working scenes and situation comedies—they just seem to go together. At least they did for an 8 year time period spanning 1988 to 1996 when viewers watched feet in somebody’s hands during the airing of the most successful sit coms. The programs were especially noteworthy for reflexologists at a time when reflexology was not a well-known practice.

Thirty-four sit coms broadcast on American network television included a foot working scene during a total of 54 episodes. Twenty-nine of the shows succeeded, moving on to at least one additional season. The episodes live on in re-run heaven with showings continuing today.

Stars who found themselves providing the feet or hands during foot working scenes of sit coms include: Ed O’Neill, Katey Sagal, Christine Applegate, Roseanne Barr, John Goodman, Tony Shaloub, Rhea Perlman, Mary Lou Henner, Burt Reynolds, Helen Hunt, Paul Reiser, Tim Allen, Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Candace Bergen, Betty White Rue McClanahan, John Lithgow, Fran Drescher, Judd Hirsch, Tony D’Anza, Judith Light, Brett Butler, Cybill Shepherd, Jeff Foxworthy, Dabney Coleman.

Situation comedies with foot work scenes or mentions include:
(1988) Roseanne, Who’s the Boss?, Dear John, Eisenhower & Lutz*, (1989) Family Ties, It’s a Living*, (1990) Murphy Brown, The Tracy Ullmann Show, (1991) Cheers, Married with Children, Designing Women, Evening Shade, Alf, (1992) Golden Girls, Mad about You, Inside Herman’s Head, Powers that Be*, (1993) Joe’s Life*, Dave’s World, (1994) Wings, Home Improvement, Friends, Frasier, Coach, Ellen, (1995) Cybill, Grace under Fire, The Jeff Foxworthy Show, Pride and Joy*, Madman of the People*, (1996) The Nanny, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Almost Perfect, Dream on. (*Indicates a program not continuing into a second season)

Many credit the surge in television and movie inclusion of foot working scenes to members of Los Angeles’s Foot Reflexology Awareness Association whose work brought awareness of for reflexology to the Hollywood television and movie community.


Roseanne, Friends and Married with Children

Notable among the thirty-four sit coms with foot working scenes or mentions are Roseanne, Friends and Married with Children. 
It was October 21, 1988 and the situation comedy Roseanne was about to come known for something more than chronicling the struggles of a working class family. Husband and wife characters played by Roseanne Barr and John Goodman hit the couch for a foot working scene. It would be the first of fifty-four episodes from twenty-nine successful sit coms over a ten year period to mention to show someone with another’s feet in hand. 

Typical to the perennially bickering couple, Roseanne and Dan argue about who will work on whose tired feet. In a 1991 episode Roseanne says to Dan, “You must work on my feet now, knave. And says, “And a darling pair of pups they are,” as he complies. In a 1995 episode Dan is pictured working on Roseanne’s feet. “You could do this for a living, she says. ‘Ok, my turn,” says Dan. “For what, Roseanne replies. “For a foot rub,” Dan says. “I thought you were doing this because you loved means because I slaved to raise the kids and keep e for . Amd, all I get is a five minute foot massage.” says Roseanne. “Okay,” Dan replies. “Three more minutes.”

The very first episode of Friends included a foot working scene. Character Phoebe played by Lisa Kudrow tries to comfort  distressed runaway bride Rachel played by Courtney Cox and says, All right, come here and give me your feet.” She is then shown working on feet. 

Married with Children is the sit com foot work champion with seven episodes showing foot working scenes or mentions made. Two of the scenes portray the pregnant chapter Peg Bundy played by Katey Sagal receiving foot work or demanding it. She promises, “Nothing will change now that I’m pregnant,” she promises followed by the sight of husband Al (Ed O’Neill) and son Bud each rubbing one of her feet. “Rub harder.” she commands. In another episode Peg says to Al, “Rub my feet.” He replies, “Only if a genie appears.” Two of the further episodes comment on mothers demanding foot rubs of sons. In separate episodes daughter Kelly, played by Christine Applegate, and neighbor Marcy express a need for someone to rub their feet to help with a monthly period. In one neighbor Marcy uses foot work to pamper her husband.

Celebrities Who Have Tried Reflexology- Anthony Bourdain

By Peabody Awards (Anthony Bourdain and Charlie Rose) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Anthony Bourdain
A trip to the reflexologist has been included multiple time on television  programs hosted byAnthony Bourdain chef, writer and television host travel/food programs. It could be Tony has an affinity for reflexology as he told the Boston Herald, “My perfect vacation would include a huge pile of books and an angry Chinese reflexologist.”  

No Reservations, 2008
As seen on his program No Reservations in 2008, Tony “visits Singapore where he meets Master Soon, practitioner of the ancient art of reflexology. Simply by kneading Bourdain’s feet, Master Soon diagnoses a litany of maladies. ‘You better be careful your kidney … some stone already … your cholesterol is 270 … little high … your large intestine … be careful with pas motion … you feel very hot … don’t drink too much alcohol … no spicy food … cool down … cool down.’ … “After the therapeutic foot massage, Bourdain says he feels great.” and goes on to counterdict Master Soon’s advice. (http://thephoenix.com/boston/recroom/54564-foodie-fest/)
See a video of his reflexology session at:  https://vimeo.com/478316

The Layover, 2011
As seen on his program The Layover in 2011, Tony spends part of his 24 hours in Singapore at Changi Airport. “Tony takes a dip in the airport's rooftop pool and gets a massage at Fish Spa & Reflexology.”

The Fish Spa & Reflexology, is described in Things to do at Singapore's Airport: Aside from the free OSIM leg massage thingies scattered about the airport, tired feet and aching shoulders can also make their way to the Fish Spa (Terminal One, near Gate D41; Tel: +65 6542 8308) for a quick massage: 20 minutes of foot reflexology, 20 minutes of shoulder kneading, and endless dipping into a pool of Turkish fish that nibble at dead skin on the feet. Feels better than it sounds.”
To see the Fish Spa & Reflexology, go to:  http://travel.cnn.com/singapore/visit/24-hours-changi-airport-039443/

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Tony samples reflexology work in New York City’s Chinatown.